Hearing Shen Ying's guess, Si Lingxi fell silent as well. She couldn't measure everyone by her own standards.
Take Phoenix Mountain, for example. Kong Lan truly regarded her as an idol and strove for ascension, but Honglu and the other three maidservants had no greater goal in life than serving her well.
Then there was Lu Zheng's White Cloud Temple. Setting Dongyang Zi aside, True Person Qing Song and True Person Yuan Lin devoted themselves wholeheartedly to cultivation, while Real Person Yuechen had already begun to cast restraint to the winds.
Great Joy Temple was inferior even to her Phoenix Mountain, let alone White Cloud Temple, a major Central Plains sect. It was perfectly reasonable for an ordinary monk like Dharma Master Guiyin to abandon his future path and indulge in the present.
It was simply that some people helped others, like Honglu and the other four maidservants; some merely did not disturb others, like Real Person Yuechen; while others harmed people, like Dharma Master Guiyin of Great Joy Temple.
"Dinner's ready!"
As they spoke, Lu Zheng's voice came from the kitchen. Then platter after platter of food flew out through the kitchen door, drifting lightly down onto the several round tables arranged in the front courtyard.
Five-Spice Roast Chicken!
Seasonal Stir-Fry!
Dry-Braised Perch!
Crispy Chicken! Soy-Braised Ribs!
Four-Joy Meatballs!
Celery, Cashews, and Wild Lilies! Several platters of every dish had been made, with one on every round table. Everyone got a share.
"Wow! It smells amazing!"
"To eat food made by Young Master, I could die without regrets!"
"You're already dead..."
"I love the ribs Young Master makes most. Xiao Cui's just don't have this flavor!"
"Hmph, then don't eat anything I make next time!"
**"Oh, Xiao Cui, don't be angry. Come, come, open your mouth. Have a little